Let’s Talk Prevention: Tips to Reduce Your Exposure

Many chemicals of concern are industrial chemicals that don’t stay isolated inside factories. Studies have found hundreds of man-made chemicals in our air, water, food, consumer products, and in samples of human blood and urine. Let’s Talk Prevention: Reducing Toxic Exposuresis a program to prevent diseases, like breast cancer, by describing ways to avoid common chemicals of concern linked with negative health impacts. Review the information below for tips on reducing toxic exposures and choosing safer alternatives to harmful products. Use the button below to view or download the brochure:

Seven Basic Steps to Reduce Exposure

Here are seven of the easiest steps you can take to reduce exposure for yourself and your family. Don’t become overwhelmed – start with small steps to reduce exposure and increase from there! Click on each tip below to read more.

Wash your hands frequently, especially before eating, and after handling chemicals like cleaning products. Use soap without parabens and triclosan (see the section below for more information about these chemicals).

Leave shoes at the door to avoid tracking pesticides and other chemicals inside. Ask guests to do the same. Chemicals tracked into your home can build up inside carpeting and pose risks, especially to babies and pets.

Open windows every so often to ventilate indoor air. Don’t allow smoking inside and avoid using commercial air fresheners which can contain unsafe fragrance chemicals. Toxic chemicals, such as flame retardants (see below), can settle in dust so keep dust levels low by using a vacuum with a HEPA filter and cleaning with a microfiber cloth – these naturally trap dust and dirt without chemical additives.

Reduce the amount of time your food is stored in the original packaging. This will reduce your exposure to any food additives or preservatives added to the packaging. Transfer your food (and leftovers) into an airtight glass, stainless steel, or ceramic container. Try not to use plastic food and beverage containers and avoid microwaving plastic. Chemicals like BPA and phthalates (see section below) can move from plastic into food, especially when heated.

Buy organic produce as often as possible. Fresh is best but go for dried or frozen instead of canned. This will reduce exposure to pesticide residues on produce and food additives in cans such as BPA and phthalates (see section below).

Number 3 plastics are easy to remember by the 3 letters PVC (or vinyl). This plastic often contains lead, cadmium, phthalates, and DEHA – all of which are toxic to humans. PVC makes the rounds, appearing in toys, shower curtains, cling wrap, some plastic squeeze bottles, plumbing, and furniture. Fortunately, we have noses that can help tip us off as PVC has a distinct plastic-y smell.

Number 6 plastics or polystyrene contain styrene, which is toxic to the brain and nervous system, and additives in number 6 plastics act like estrogen, which may be linked with breast cancer. Avoid this plastic in styrofoam, egg cartons, cups, carry out containers, and opaque plastic cutlery.

Pesticides include weed and bug killers used inside the home, in the garden, or nearby in agriculture.

To reduce ingestion of pesticide residues on fruits and vegetables, try to buy organic produce whenever possible. To avoid pests without the use of chemical pesticides, store food tightly, wipe up crumbs, and seal cracks in windows and doors (click the button below for a factsheet about nontoxic pesticide alternatives).

Triclosan can be found as an ingredient in toiletries and cosmetics, especially in antibacterial soaps.

Luckily, triclosan is usually listed as an “active ingredient” on personal care product labels. To avoid exposure, check labels for products without triclosan.

Take time to read product labels

Some products may contain chemicals that are not listed on the label. For example, the ingredient “fragrance” can represent large mixtures of potentially harmful chemicals. However, making a habit of reading labels can help you identify and avoid harmful ingredients that are listed.

When you’re checking labels keep these tips in mind:

Choose cleaning products, toiletries, and cosmetics labeled as “fragrance-free.” Even products labeled as “unscented” can include unlisted fragrance masking compounds.

Look for “flame retardant-free” and not “flame resistant” or “TB 117 compliant” on children’s pajamas, furniture, and bedding.

Try to avoid cookware, clothing, and furnishings labeled as “stain resistant” or “non-stick.”